"Gopher" - in this case - is an information service, network
protocol, and distributed document delivery system which uses a
hierarchical file structure that transcends system architectures
to deliver files and documents.
A "network protocol" is a set of instructions by which one computer
connects to other computers on a network. The computer in which
a Gopher resides does so with other networked computers so the
Gopher can deliver files and documents to them.
Gopher is also an online "space" that is free of advertising and
commercialism. Because it doesn't display images, support Flash,
Java or Java-script, Gopher may be the last commercial-free space
on the Internet.
What Gopher Isn't
Gopher is not a precursor or prototype WEB. Both evolved about
the same time. Gopher delivers data while the WEB displays it.
Gopher is wickedly efficient while the WEB is pretty to look at.
Gopher is not obsolete or out-of-date. It is still relevant
to this very day. Modern server software is available and all that
is needed is a supported client or Internet browser.
Why Gopher?
Gopher is simple. That means it's easy to set up and maintain,
and there's less to go wrong. A Gopher server can be put into
production in a very short period of time. Menus are optional and
directory tree listings are allowed.
Gopher is efficient. It evolved in an era of limited system and
network resources, so the info-server had to be efficient. Very
large text files can be delivered with a minimum of overhead on
both the server and the client.
Gopher makes order out of chaos. It uses a hierarchical file
system that transcends system architectures to deliver files and
data. Directory trees are arranged in ascending order. Connections
are continuous and unbroken.
